Philippines

Philippines Flag

"Pearl of the Orient"

Why visit the Philippines?

Ideal for travelers seeking to enjoy beaches, birdwatching, boat rides, culture, diving, festivals, fishing, historical sites, islands, marine life, reefs, rice fields, sailing, snorkeling, spectator sports, surfing, trekking tropical scenery, volcanoes, waterfalls, water skiing, and wildlife.

Photo Credit: lester56/Pixabay

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Brass goods, cane furniture, cigars, cutlery, embroidered cotton table linens, fabrics, guitars, paintings, rugs, and wood carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Adobo (national dish). Balut (duck egg). Bibingka (baked cakes). Champorado (chocolate porridge). Dinuguan (stew). Ginanggang (bananas) Kare Kare (stew). Kesong Puti (fresh cheese). Puto (rice cake). Pandesal (bread rolls). Shakoy (doughnut). Silog (fried rice). Sinigang na Hipon (soup).Tapsilog (breakfast). Tinola (chicken soup). Ube Halaya (dessert).
• Local Drink to Try: Ginebra San Miguel (gin). Halo Halo (milk shake). Kapeng Barako (coffee). Lambanog (wine). Red Horse (beer). San Miguel Pale Pilsen (beer). Tanduay (rum).Tapuy (wine).Tsokolate (hot chocolate). Tuba (liquor).

Boracay Beach, Malay, Aklan, Philippines. Photo Credit: tttboram/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• During World War II (1939-1945) many Spanish architecture buildings were destroyed. 
• The 13th most populous country in the world. 
  
• Has over 330 volcanoes.
• Near the equator and the "Pacific Ring of Fire".
• The world's largest producer of coconuts.
• Tabon Caves (Palawan) is known for revealing the oldest human remains.
  
• Schools are based on the U.S. educational system.
  
• The only Asian country practicing Roman Catholicism.
• Home to Asia's biggest malls, the SM Mall of Asia (Manila, Luzon).
  
• Third largest gambling hub amongst Asian countries.
• Mindanao Island was home of the late largest saltwater crocodile in captivity.
• According to Travel + Leisure (2012) ranked Boracay Island for their beaches and best island in the world.
• Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Puerto Princesa), holds the world's longest navigable underground river.
  
• Maritime waters are a part of the Coral Triangle ecoregion.
  
• Second largest geothermal energy producer in the world.
  
• Chocolate Hills (Bohol Province) has 1,260 geological formation hills.
  
• Quezon City has the greatest quantity of urban ecological parks.
  
• Magellan's Cross (Cebu City) is a Christianity landmark set by Spanish Explorers. 
  
• Consists of approximately 7,641 islands.
• Basketball is the most popular sport at both amateur and professional levels.
  
• Philippine Airlines (PAL) is Asia's oldest commercial airline.
  
• Mount Apo (aka: Apo Sandawa) is the highest peak (9,692 ft).
  
• Home to the best coral reefs in the world.

Jeepneys (aka: Jeeps). Photo Credit: gloverbh222/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Ati-Atihan Festival. Dinagyang Festival, east of the Black, Fiesta Tsinoy, Kuyamis Festival, Lantern Festival, P

  asalamat Festival, Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival,

   (February) Bikol Arts Festival (NAM:BAF), Cagsawa Festival, Festival of Lights Tangub, Karanowan Fish-Tival, Mahaguyog Festival, Nangkaan Festival, Patunob Festival, Seafoods Festival, Sibug-Sibug Festival, Sunggod Ta KaManga, Wish 107.5 Music Awards, (March) Alimango Festival, Centurion Festival, Holy Week, International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Ligao Sunflower Festival, Malasimbo Festival, Moriones Festival, Samal Festival, Theater Week, (April) Alinao Festival, Bantayog Festival, Isla Carahan Festival, Mananap Festival, Moriones Festival, P’gsalabuk Festival, Rodeo Festival, Sakayan Festival, (May) Abaca Festival, Butanding Festival, Isla Rancho Festival, Kaogma Festival, Layag Festival, Palong Festival, Pasa Pasa Festival, Sarung Banggi Festival, (June) Ginubat Festival, Kamalig Festival, Man of the World Pageant, Pinangat Festival, Pinyasan Festival, Naro Festival, Pili Festival, Pulang-Angui Festival, RP612fic, Saulog Festival, Tabak Festival, (July) Grand Kaliga Festival, Kahimoan Abayan Festival, Kinabayo Festival, Libon Paroy Festival, Lubid Festival, Magalleones Festival, Ozine Fest, Pagoda Festival, Popular Music Festival, Sinulog de Tanjay Festival, Spring Festival, (August) Coron Festival, Harvest Festival, Higalaay Festival, Ibalong Festival, Pangapog Festival, Tig-Aw Festival, (September) Aurora Festival, Bicol Food Festival, Busig-On Festival, Diyandi Festival sa Iligan, Hin-ay Festival, Sarakiki Festival, T’boli Tribal Festival, UNTV Cup, (October) Cimarrones Festival, Cosplay Mania, Kamgbegu Festival, Mambulawan Festival, Masskara Festival, Parau Festival, Rahugan Festival, Unod Festival, Youth Congress on Information Technology, (November) Animahenasyon, ASOP Music Festival, Day-ang Di Onga Festival, Guipao Festival, Kalag-Kalag Festival, Kawayanan Festival, Lambat Festival, P’yagsawitan Festival, Sanduguan Festival, Santa Ipon Festival, (December) Kahumayan Festival, Kamundagan Festival, and Pasko sa Tanjay Festival.  
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Lunar New Day, Day of Valor, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Labor Day, Eid al-Fitr, Independence Day, Eid al-Adha, National Hero's Day, Bonifacio Day, Feast of Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, and Rizal Day.

Manila (Capital), Philippines. Photo Credit: AGDProductions/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas are considered the main islands.
• Cebu (Visayas) and Davao (Mindanao) are popular among beachgoers.
• Ambulance services are not widely available.
  
• Traffic is dense.
• Whale Sharks are seen between November - June (Sorsogon Province).
• Enchanted Kingdom (Santa Rosa, Laguna), is a popular theme park.
  
• Manila Ocean Park (Manila) is an amazing oceanarium.
  
• Crime and terrorists groups are known to target travelers.
• Ocean Adventure (Subic Bay Freeport Zone) is an open-space marine zoological park.
  
• Healthcare in rural areas is considered below our western standards.
  
•  Pan-Philippine Highway connects the islands of Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, and Samar.
  
• Great Santa Cruz Island offers pink sand beaches.
  
• Kindly ask Taxi Drivers to use the meter, recording your fare.
• Jeepneys are an iconic public transportation vehicle.
  
• Samal Island is known for white sand beaches.
  
• Rail transportation is limited.
  
• Credit/ATM card fraud is an issue.
• Prevalent Diseases: Dengue, Chikungunya, Measles, Malaria, Polio, Tuberculosis, and Zika.
• Cultural acceptance and social harmony are highly regarded.
• Fishing is popular at Camiguin Island, Lake Caliraya, Mactan Island (Cebu), Siargao, and Subic Bay.
• Siargao Island is considered the surfing capital.
  
• Avoid elective medical tourism travel.
• Rainy Season is June - September and December - March.
  
• Typhoon Season is June - November.
  
• Possession, trafficking, or use of illegal drugs is severe.
• Wear 100% natural fabrics whether cotton or linen.
  
• Ferry Service connects many coastal cities.
  
• Carry your passport with you at all times.

Manila, Philippines. Photo Credit: Herbert Hansen/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination required from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay 

Subject to earthquakes, humidity, and typhoons.

• Best Time to Visit: November - February
• Coolest Months: November - February 
• Hottest Months: April - May
• Peak Season: March - May

Surigao del Norte Province, Philippines. Photo Credit: Junriel Bonachita/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, Church of San Agustin in Manila, Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, Historic City of Vigan, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Paoay Church, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

El Nido (Palawan island), Philippine. Photo Credit: Richard Mcall/Pixabay 

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.